SafePlants

Goatgrass (Aegilops spp.)

Goatgrasses belong to the genus Aegilops, a group of plants within the grass family, Poaceae. The plants are native to Eurasia and North America.

Considerations for Pets

• Some species of goatgrass have sharp-pointed seeds that can cause injury if eaten by livestock.

Considerations for Children

• Some species of goatgrass have sharp-pointed seeds.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Aegilops spp.
• Common Names: Goatgrass
• Family: Poaceae (Grass family)

Species Spotlight: Barbed Goatgrass

• Scientific Name: Aegilops triuncialis
• Common Name: Barbed Goatgrass
• A winter annual grass species
• Native to Eastern and Mediterranean Europe

Species Spotlight: Jointed Goatgrass

• Scientific Name: Aegilops cylindrica
• Other Names: Jointgrass
• An annual grass
• Part of the tribe Triticeae, along with wheat and some other cereals.
• USDA symbol: AECY
• ODA rating: B

Distribution and Habitat

• Jointed goatgrass is found in all western states and all major United States winter wheat production regions, from Texas to South Dakota and eastern Montana.
• Native to southeast Europe and was introduced to North America in the late 1800s as a contaminant in wheat.
• Jointed goatgrass grows best in cultivated fields but can also invade other areas.

Ecological Role

• Jointed goatgrass is an invasive plant that competes with crops for water and nutrients, thus reducing the quality and yield of wheat and other crops.
• Jointed goatgrass is spreading at an estimated rate of 50,000 acres per year.

Morphological Characteristics

• Aegilops cylindrica (Jointed goatgrass) is a winter annual that can reach 4 ft. (1.2 m) in height.
• The leaves are alternate, up to 0.5 in. (1.2 cm) wide.
• Vegetatively similar to wheat in the seed stage.
• The leaves are alternately arranged with auricles at their base.
• Short-lived, erect grass with one to many erect stems or tillers.
• Difficult to distinguish from wheat until spikes appear.
• Spreads exclusively by seed.

Genetics

• Jointed goatgrass can hybridize with winter wheat and reduce wheat crop yields.
• Jointed goatgrass (CD genomes) is a major weed of winter bread wheat (ABD genomes).
• Both species (Jointed Goatgrass and Wheat) are polyploid with one genome (D).
• Wheat X jointed goatgrass hybrid can only serve as a female

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Jointed goatgrass is a troublesome weed in winter wheat.
• It competes with crops for water and nutrients.

Resources and Further Information

• Integrated Management of Jointed Goatgrass in the Pacific Northwest. EB2042
• Field Guide for Managing Jointed Goatgrass in the Southwest. Forest Service. September 2014. Southwestern Region. TP-R3-16-29. United States
• EB1932. Jointed Goatgrass Ecology
• USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org.
• Colorado Natural Areas Program.
• Kelly Uhing, Colorado Department of Agriculture, Map from Crystal Andrews, Colorado Department of Agriculture. 1. Jointed goatgrass. Colorado Dept. of.
• Josh S. Davy, University of California Livestock and Natural Resources Program Representative, Tehama, Glenn, and Colusa Counties